Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karthika_Deepam/
Karthika Deepam, Thrikarthika or Karthikai Vilakkidu is a festival of lights that is observed mainly by Hindu Tamils, and also in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam as a traditional festival. This festival is very important for Tamils all over the world. The full moon day of this Karthigai month is called Karthigai pournami. In Kerala, this festival is known as Thrikkarthika, celebrated to welcome Goddess Karthiyayeni (Chottanikkara Amma)Bhagavathi. In the rest of India, a related festival called Kartik Purnima is celebrated in a different date. It is celebrated in the name of 'Lakshabba' in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The name of the festival born from the name of the god Kartikeya. In Tamil calendar the name of this month is Karthikai. In Telugu households of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karthika Maasalu (month) is considered very auspicious. The Kartikai month starts on the middle of November. From that day till the end of the month, oil lamps are lit every day. On Karthikai Pournami (full moon of Karthikai month) oil lamp with 365 wicks, prepared at home, are lit in Lord Shiva temples. Apart from that, on Kartikai Pournami fasting is observed till sunset, every day for the whole month. Swaminarayan Sampraday also celebrates this day with faith and fervor.
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